Philippine files diplomatic protest against China on atoll

CHINA’S maritime militia has shown up in force at Union Banks, an atoll within the Philippine’s exclusive economic zone claim.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, about 220 maritime militia vessels were anchored in a line off one of the atoll’s reefs on March 7.

“Despite clear weather at the time, the Chinese vessels massed at the reef showed no actual fishing activities and had their full white lights turned on during nighttime,” said the Philippines’ National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) in a statement.

“In consonance with the Philippine commitment to the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, the government shall continue to peacefully and proactively pursue its initiatives on environmental protection, food security and freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea as part of its overall national security policy.”

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin said he filed a diplomatic protest with China.

“We view with grave concern the presence of 220 Chinese militia boats in the Julian Felipe Reef (Union Reef) in the West Philippine Sea. This is a clear provocative action of militarising the area,” said Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in a statement.

“We call on the Chinese to stop this incursion and immediately recall these boats violating our maritime rights and encroaching into our sovereign territory. We are committed to uphold our sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea (Philippine EEZ).”